WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama says National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden is not a patriot for revealing widespread government surveillance programs.

Obama says he called for a review of the secret surveillance programs before details of documents Snowden leaked to reporters were publicized in June. He says Snowden’s disclosures prompted a faster and more passionate response than if Obama had just appointed a board to review the policies.

Speaking to reporters Friday, Obama said he wants more oversight of the intelligence community’s surveillance programs to strike a balance between protecting Americans safety and their privacy.